In the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo’s elimination with Portugal, we have compiled a list of 10 players whose individual talent was unquestionable but never rewarded with the World Cup trophy
Only players who reached at least one World Cup semi-final have been considered
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Zico
10
Zico is widely regarded as the best Brazilian player never to win the World Cup, having played in unsuccessful teams in 1978, 1982 and 1986.
Brazil were tipped to win the middle tournament in particular. Zico was at the peak of his powers playing in the number 10 role, while those alongside him including Falcão, Sócrates, Éder, Cerezo and Júnior were considered equally gifted.
They cruised through the first group stage with victories over the Soviet Union, Scotland and New Zealand, before defeating arch-rivals Argentina in the first match of the second round robin.
As a result, Brazil went into their meeting with Italy knowing that a draw would be enough for safe passage to the semi-finals. What followed was one of the all-time great World Cup matches played between the free-flowing Brazilians and the resilient Italians. Despite the efforts of Zico - who provided his fourth assist of the tournament for Brazil’s first goal, to go with four strikes of his own - Italy emerged as 3-2 victors thanks to Paolo Rossi’s hat-trick. The Italians went on to win the title while Brazil returned home to a nation in mourning.
The
greatest players
never to win the
World Cup
The
greatest players
never to win the
World Cup
1978: 3rd place
1982: Second group stage
1986: Quarter-final
World Cup record
Major honours
Brasileirão (1980, 1982, 1983)
Copa Libertadores (1981)
World Cup record
9
Claude Makélélé
2002: Group stage
2006: Runner-up
Major honours
Champions League (2002)
Ligue 1 (1995)
La Liga (2001, 2003)
Premier League (2005, 2006)
Despite playing in a successful era for France, Claude Makélélé rarely matched his club exploits at international level.
The midfield destroyer was overlooked for
Les Bleus’ trophy-winning squads at World Cup 1998 and Euro 2000, and it was only during his time at Chelsea that he became
a first-team regular.
That period coincided with France’s surprise run to the 2006 final, during which Makélélé played every minute. Aged 33 at the time, Makélélé was one of several French players
in the twilight of their careers. He defied his advancing years by producing a string of composed performances at the base of midfield, consistently breaking up play as France beat Spain, Brazil and Portugal
back-to-back to reach the final.
The final against Italy ended in a 1-1 draw, with France ultimately losing out on penalties. Makélélé carried on until a group stage exit at Euro 2008, after which he retired with 71 caps.
World Cup record
8
Oliver Kahn
2002: Runner-up
Major honours
European Championship (1996)
Champions League (2001)
UEFA Cup (1996)
Bundesliga (1997, 1999 - 2001, 2003, 2005 - 2006, 2008)
One of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time, the imposing Kahn was also one of the most successful. He won 8 league titles and 2 European trophies with Bayern Munich and the European Championships with Germany.
However World Cup glory eluded him despite a commanding performance at the 2002 tournament which saw him become the only goalkeeper to have won the Golden Ball award for best player.
Kahn kept 5 clean sheets as Germany reached the final, only for 2 goals from legendary striker Ronaldo to deny him glory. The first was particularly painful as he fumbled a shot into the Brazilian’s path, with many attributing his rare error to a torn ligament in his hand.
He was unable to atone for this mistake as he was controversially dropped for the 2006 tournament on home soil. However with Germany eliminated at the semi-final stage he started the third place play-off match, giving him the opportunity to sign off his international career with one last impressive performance.
World Cup record
7
Ferenc Puskás
1954: Runner-up
1962: Group stage (Spain)
Major honours
European Cup (1959, 1960, 1966)
La Liga (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965)
Copa del Rey (1962)
Revered in Hungary and Spain, Ferenc Puskás is one of the greatest goalscorers of all-time.
He netted 80 goals in as many games for his native Hungary, including four in a run to the World Cup final in 1954. With Puskás as captain, Hungary were arguably the best team in the world at the time and went into the tournament unbeaten in 28 matches. They underlined their status as favourites by hammering South Korea and West Germany in the group phase. However, Puskás sustained an injury in the latter victory that caused him to miss the quarter-final and semi-final wins.
Despite not being fully fit, he returned for the final - a rematch against West Germany - and put Hungary ahead within six minutes. Team-mate Zoltán Czibor added a second quickly afterwards, before West Germany stormed back to take a 3-2 lead in the 84th minute. Puskás responded with a late leveller, only for his effort to be dubiously ruled out for offside.
Hungary’s painful loss proved to be Puskás’ final World Cup appearance for his home country. He would later go on to play for Spain in the 1962 tournament, having starred at club level for Real Madrid in the preceding years.
World Cup record
6
Eusébio
1966: 3rd place
Major honours
European Cup (1962)
Ballon d’Or (1965)
Liga Portugal (1961, 1963 - 1965, 1967 - 1969, 1971 - 1973, 1975)
Eusébio is Portugal’s top scorer at World Cups despite only appearing at a single tournament. His nine goals in 1966 remain clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s eight, scored between 2006 and 2022.
Portugal were inspired at the 1966 tournament - their first World Cup. They topped their group with three wins from three, including a concluding victory over defending champions Brazil in which Eusébio scored twice.
Eusébio and Portugal’s highlight then came in the quarter-finals. Trailing 3-0 to North Korea after 25 minutes, Eusébio netted four goals in the subsequent half hour to put Portugal ahead. He backed up that scintillating display by scoring against England in the semis, but his goals proved to be a consolation with the tournament hosts going on to win 2-1 and eventually lift the trophy.
However, such was his impact on the host nation, Eusébio was honoured with a waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London immediately after the World Cup.
World Cup record
5
Michel Platini
1978: First round
1982: 4th place
1986: 3rd place
Major honours
European Championship (1984)
European Cup (1985)
Serie A (1984, 1986)
Ligue 1 (1981)
Ballon d’Or (1983, 1984, 1985)
One of the greatest European footballers of all-time, Platini won the coveted Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player three years running. His precise passing and ruthless dead ball abilities helped to deliver the 1984 European Championship for France, but he was unable to replicate that success at the World Cup.
A difficult debut tournament in 1978 saw him shackled by the superior marking of Italy’s defenders as France were eliminated in the first round, but he would fare much better in the next two tournaments.
Platini inspired the French team to a semi-final against West Germany in 1982 and netted twice from the penalty spot in this game - once in the first half and again in the shoot-out - but France ultimately fell short.
History would repeat itself four years later as the same team knocked them out at the same stage in Mexico ‘86. Despite carrying an injury, Platini’s goals helped France past both Italy and Brazil before another defeat to the Germans ended their journey.
He would retire from football the following year as France’s leading goalscorer: a record which would stand for another two decades.
World Cup record
4
Paolo Maldini
1990: 3rd place
1994: Runner-up
1998: Quarter-final
2002: Round of 16
Major honours
European Cup / Champions League (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007)
Club World Cup (2007)
Serie A (1988, 1992 - 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004)
Coppa Italia (2003)
Legendary centre-back Paolo Maldini played for Italy in four World Cups, wearing the captain’s armband in three of them.
He started his World Cup career in 1990 on the left side of Italy’s formidable back four that kept five consecutive clean sheets on the way to a semi-final meeting with Argentina. The hosts would take the lead in that game before conceding an equaliser in the second half and eventually losing on penalties. Despite the loss, a young Maldini was showered with plaudits and made it into the team of the tournament.
In the next World Cup, Maldini deputised for Franco Baresi as captain during another deep run that culminated in a final against tournament favourites Brazil. He was at the heart of defence this time, keeping Brazil at bay for 120 minutes before enduring the heartache of penalties once again.
Maldini’s Italy struggled to reach the same heights in the following two World Cups and - in a slightly cruel twist of fate - he watched on as his replacement as captain Fabio Cannavaro lifted the trophy in 2006.
World Cup record
3
Cristiano Ronaldo
2006: 4th place
2010: Round of 16
2014: Group stage
2018: Round of 16
2022: Quarter-final
Major honours
European Championship (2016)
Champions League (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009)
La Liga (2012, 2017)
Serie A (2019, 2020)
Ballon d’Or (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
In 2022 Ronaldo became the first player in history to score at 5 different World Cups, but Portugal peaked in his first tournament. They finished 4th in 2006 but have not made a single semi-final since then, denying one of the world’s greatest-ever players the one major honour missing from his creaking trophy cabinet.
A five-time winner of both the Champions League and Ballon d’Or, Ronaldo’s achievements are among the most impressive of any player in the modern era. At international level he has amassed almost 200 caps, won the European Championship and scored 8 World Cup goals, but at 37 years old he will surely not be in the frame for a sixth shot at glory in the
2026 tournament.
His glittering career looks set to end on a sour note, with many viewing the circumstances of his second exit from Manchester United and his tearful departure from the pitch after Portugal’s latest elimination to be unprofessional.
World Cup record
2
Johan Cruyff
1974: Runner-up
Major honours
European Cup (1971, 1972, 1973)
Eredivisie (1966 - 1968, 1970, 1972 - 1973, 1982 - 1984)
La Liga (1974)
Ballon d’Or (1971, 1973, 1974)
One of the game’s greatest-ever players and also one of its most influential tacticians, Cruyff’s impact on world football is difficult to overstate.
However he appeared at just one World Cup: the Netherlands didn’t qualify in 1970 and he surprisingly retired from international football ahead of the 1978 tournament, but in 1974 Cruyff took the competition by storm.
Voted as the player of the tournament, Cruyff scored in convincing victories over both Argentina and defending champions Brazil en route to the final.
After just a minute of play in the final, he won
his team a penalty after his solo run into the
box drew a foul. However despite the kick
being converted, opponents West Germany
were 2-1 up by half-time and went on to win,
with Cruyff’s influence limited by some
ruthless marking.
Frustratingly for Cruyff, the Dutch would reach the 1978 final without him, ultimately losing in extra time. At the time he was still only 31, so could well have made the difference and secured the prize that both he and the revolutionary Netherlands team would have deserved.
World Cup record
1
Roberto Baggio
1990: 3rd place
1994: Runner-up
1998: Quarter-finals
Major honours
UEFA Cup (1993)
Ballon d’Or (1993)
FIFA World Player of the Year (1993)
Serie A (1995, 1996)
Coppa Italia (1995)
One of the most gifted attacking midfielders in the history of European football, Baggio would tragically be denied World Cup glory three times by penalty shoot-outs.
He went into the 1990 tournament as the world’s most expensive player and did not disappoint. Baggio’s tally of three goals - including one that ranks among the best ever scored at a World Cup - would have been higher if not for an incorrect offside call and him gracefully allowing team-mate Salvatore Schillaci to take a penalty that secured the Golden Boot award. Italy were eliminated on penalties in the semi-finals despite Baggio converting his kick.
In the 1994 tournament he scored 5 goals, dragging Italy to the final almost single-handedly to justify the prestigious Ballon d’Or award he had won the previous year. However with the match ending goalless he tragically missed the decisive penalty which saw Brazil triumph instead.
Four years later in 1998 he made amends, converting the first penalty in their quarter-final shoot-out against France, but his team-mates were unable to hold their nerve and it was the French who went on to win the trophy.
With a star-studded England team having once again failed to add to the nation’s solitary world title, we have compiled a list of 5 other great international teams who somehow never lifted
the World Cup trophy
Only teams who made it to at least one World Cup semi-final have been considered
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Belgium
5
Belgium’s recent “golden generation” of talented players was all the more impressive for having been produced by a relatively small nation.
Manager Roberto Martínez had an embarrassment of riches to draw upon, including the legendary Vincent Kompany in defence, some of the world’s best midfielders (Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard) and the formidable Romelu Lukaku up front.
Belgium coasted through their group with three wins - including one over a strong England team - and memorably defeated Brazil in the
quarter-finals. However they came unstuc
in their semi-final, unable to break down the defence of eventual winners France.
Despite going on to top FIFA’s world rankings for the first time in their history after the tournament, Belgium fell at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2020 and were eliminated in the group stage at the 2022 World Cup, scoring
only once.
With the core of their talented side starting to age, they have surely missed their chance to excel on the world’s greatest stage and a new generation will have to pick up the pieces.
The
greatest teams
never to win the
World Cup
The
greatest teams
never to win the
World Cup
2018
Hazard
Lukaku
Mertens
De Bruyne
Witsel
Carrasco
Meunier
Kompany
Vertonghen
Alderweireld
Courtois
Rivaldo
Aldair
Taffarel
R Carlos
Cafu
Leonardo
Bebeto
Ronaldo
C Sampaio
Dunga
4
Brazil
1998
As the world’s most successful footballing nation, it is not often that we find ourselves feeling sorry for the Brazilian national team. In particular it feels strange to lament their loss in the 1998 World Cup final when they won the two tournaments either side of it, but there are extenuating circumstances.
This Brazil side was every bit as talented as those that won the adjacent competitions, with legendary full-backs Cafu and Roberto Carlos supporting an attack containing the formidable duo of Rivaldo and Ronaldo.
It was the latter who shone the brightest: then a 21-year-old attacking prodigy, Ronaldo scored four goals and claimed the Golden Ball award for best player at the tournament. However on the eve of the final he suffered a mysterious seizure and was a shadow of his usual self during the match, which a subdued Brazil lost 3-0 to hosts France.
Many of Brazil’s players - Ronaldo included - were able to redeem themselves at the next finals four years later, but we can only wonder how close they came to making history by winning three World Cups in a row.
J Baiano
Malouda
Gallas
Thuram
Barthez
Abidal
Sagnol
Ribéry
Henry
Zidane
Makélélé
Vieira
3
France
2006
After their 1998 triumph, France had crashed out in the group stage at the 2002 tournament but looked equipped to challenge for the trophy again four years later.
The squad boasted an enviable spine of established stars, from Fabien Barthez in goal, Lillian Thuram in defence, Patrick Vieira in midfield and Thierry Henry up front. However
it was another veteran - their captain
Zinedine Zidane - who would come to define their tournament.
Zidane had retired after Euro 2004 and was set to hang up his boots altogether after the World Cup, but returned to inspire a run to the final. He was involved in 5 of their 6 goals during the knockout stage - scoring 3 and assisting 2 - but a moment of madness would cost France
the trophy.
With 10 minutes of extra time remaining, Zidane took exception to an insult from Italy defender Marco Materazzi and headbutted him in the chest. Deprived of their main penalty taker, France lost the resulting shoot-out.
The pain of this loss would reverberate for some time, with the French eliminated at the group stage of the next two major tournaments.
Best XI
Best XI
Best XI
Best XI
Donadoni
Baresi
Costacurta
Pagliuca
Maldini
Bergomi
Berti
Schillaci
Best XI
R Baggio
D Baggio
Albertini
2
Italy
1990 & 1994
The Italian team that fell tragically short of World Cup glory in the 1990s boasted an enviable depth of talent.
Italy is renowned for its superior defending and this era was no different, with legends such Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta patrolling their half.
However this team also possessed some ruthless goalscorers, such as 1990 Golden Boot winner Salvatore Schillaci and star attacker Roberto Baggio (who contributed 7 goals across the 1990 and 1994 tournaments).
Unfortunately penalty shoot-outs were their Achilles’ heel, with Argentina eliminating them via spot kicks in the 1990 semi-final and Brazil defeating them the same way in the 1994 final.
W v d Kerkhof
Haan
Rijsbergen
Jongblood
Krol
Suurbier
Rep
Cruyff
Best XI
Rensenbrink
Jansen
Neeskens
1
Netherlands
1974 & 1978
The Netherlands team reaching two consecutive World Cup finals in the 1970s without winning either surely ranks as one of football’s
great disappointments.
Powered by the revolutionary “Total Football” philosophy developed at Ajax, the Dutch changed the way people thought about tactics forever.
With the legendary Johan Cruyff in the 1974 side they defeated both Brazil and Argentina on their way to the final and took an early lead before ultimately losing 2-1 to hosts West Germany.
In 1978 they repeated the trick with a new manager and without Cruyff, who had retired from international football. They were once again denied by the hosts in the final, with Argentina winning 3-1 after extra time.
